Terrorist attack "imminent" in Philippines

British travellers are being strongly advised not to travel to the Philippines' Cebu province as the Foreign Office believes that terrorists "are in the final stages of planning attacks".

Back in May this year, local authorities foiled an attempt to bomb a shopping mall in the province but since then the country has seen a number of deadly explosions in Mindanao and British authorities believe that the current climate is now unsafe for travel.

The news comes as Asian leaders plan to meet in Cebu at a summit scheduled for December 11th to 13th.

However, local police were keen to play down these concerns for fear of unduly damaging the region's tourist economy.

"There's no specific and direct threats in Cebu during summit meetings," Chief Superintendent Silverio Alarcio, regional police chief, told Reuters.

He added that the British advice to tourists was "just a warning" and that it "does not mean there was really an imminent attack".

The Philippines is currently reeling from the devastating effects of Typhoon Durian, which has killed 450 and left 600 missing, presumed dead.